Let’s Debunk These 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Plumbing problems can be a real hassle, but falling for common misconceptions often makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You could be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or plumbing appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s set the record straight on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop unnecessary problems from occurring.
Myth 1: Toilets Are Suitable Trash Cans
It may look convenient to flush facial tissues, napkins, cotton balls, hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the toilet, but it’s a bad choice. Toilets are only built to handle organic waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other objects can cause blockages and expensive repair work, so use the trash can for non-flushable objects to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Won’t Harm Your Plumbing
In spite of what the packaging says, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your pipes. These wipes don’t decompose like toilet tissue and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your plumbing system, flushable wipes build up in the larger sewage system, causing headaches for waste management. Taxpayer dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
Lots of people think the kitchen garbage disposal can handle everything, but that’s not true. Things like gristle, used coffee grounds and eggshells can damage the disposal or obstruct your pipes. Grease is particularly infamous for obstructing plumbing. No matter how much you flush the drain with boiling water, the oil still congeals and causes plumbing issues. Pour oil into a hard container and toss it out once it cools.
Myth 4: Using Lemon Peels to Clean Garbage Disposals
Putting lemon peels into the garbage disposal could give it a fresh scent for a while, but the acidity and texture of the fibers of the peels can damage the blades used to break food down. The best way to clean the garbage disposal is by sending a handful of ice down the fat and other buildup without damaging the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safe, thorough option for cleaning the disposal.
Myth 5: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break pieces of food down—they use grinding tools to pulverize food. Ice cubes could help clean the disposal by removing debris, so go ahead and break down a handful occasionally. Just don’t wait for them to make the disposal sharper.
Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance
Water heaters require routine maintenance to operate as efficiently as possible. Over time, buildup can accumulate, lowering performance and reducing your water heater’s total service life. Draining the tank and examining the water heater’s anode rod annually are the most helpful steps to keep your water heater in better working condition.
Myth 7: Tightening a Leaking Faucet Will Stop the Drip
A leaking faucet usually suggests a worn-out washer or valve, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening may wear out the threads and worsen the problem. Instead of tightening the handle down further, contact a plumber to address the root cause.
Myth 8: All Plumbers Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Licensing, a work background and reputation can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing service. Selecting a low-cost plumber without the proper credentials could end up costing you more over time.
Myth 9: DIY Plumbing Fixture Installation Is a Breeze
Setting up plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just tightening screws. Systems for residential plumbing are intricate, and improper setup can cause leaks, water damage and the costly repairs that come with them. Minimize the risk of trouble by calling a professional plumber for installing fixtures.
Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice
A few plumbing problems might be hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly minor leak might not make itself known until it’s created extensive water damage. Regular plumbing inspections can help identify hidden problems early and prevent them from becoming major headaches.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer professional solutions for all your plumbing problems. Our professionals have the skills to keep everything moving smoothly, from your toilet and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not totally happy with our work, you can rely on us to fix it. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at an affordable price.
